By Francis Sadhere, Warri

The Delta Civil Society Coalition on Elections (DCCE) and the Delta State Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance (DECGOG) on Friday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, CSOs, Traditional institutions religious bodies and other critical stakeholders in the election process, to always play their role in ensuring a violence free elections.

The groups who made this call in Effurun, Uwie council area of Delta State during a press conference, also called on the Nigerian Police Force and its sister agencies to build confidence of the citizenry in it’s impartiality rooted in absolute professionalism in line with the act establishing them as institutions of government.

The groups in a statement signed by the Convener, DCCE, Mr Voke Ighorodje and the Chairman, DECGOG, Pastor  Edewor Egedegbe, appealed to political parties, their candidates, and agents to play by the rules and avoid wasting any opportunity to display transparency and fair play so they can build confidence of the people and reduce voter apathy.

The CSOs also called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure balance and accurate reportage of electoral activities and apply caution in their report of violence when it arises.

“The electorates have the responsibility of ensuring peaceful conducts: before, during and after elections and also to eschew damaging/incendiary rumours, fake news peddling capable of igniting crisis.

“The doctrine of ‘cast your vote peacefully and leave, but if you must remain at the polling unit, be orderly and peaceful,’ should prevail,” the groups stated.

While urging all citizens of voting age to come out and cast their votes for the candidate of their choice, the Executive Director, Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative and Chairman, DECGOG, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, lamented that  some youths have continued to make themselves willing tools in the hands of greedy politicians who use and dump them.

He said DCCE and DECGOG had earlier carried out a survey on eligible voters in Delta Central, adding that 78% responded that they will not vote because of fear and threat of violence while others said they will not vote because of lack of faith in the ability of INEC and political parties to organize free, fair and credible elections.

He added that the survey on the effect of violence was carried out in some selected council areas in Delta Central as part of its mandate to promote inclusive and participatory citizens engagement.

Pastor Egedegbe added that the outcome of the survey has confirmed reports and stories of incessant politically motivated violence happening around the area, recalling that over the past two weeks issues of political violence had increased in alarming proportion in Delta Central Senatorial district, particularly in Uvwie council area.

On his part, the Convener, DCCE and Executive Director, Rights Education Empowerment & Development Centre for Social Change (REED Centre) Mr Voke Ighorodje said, “It is really alarming how these young people allow themselves to be used to cause so much violence and fear.”